A Conversation with Jacki Gordon,

About the event

Event Information:

29th January 2014

17:30 Doors
18:00 Introduction, readings, discussion and Q&A session
19:00 Books sales, book signing and light refreshments

Jacki will join us for an evening hosted by Maudsley Learning, giving you the chance to meet the author and to go away with your own signed copy.

The event features the author introducing her book, reading an excerpt and hosting a live discussion in our Buddy Suite. Also appearing on the night will be special guests Marion Janner OBE and Buddy (whom our suite is named after!).

Marion Janner OBE has Borderline Personality Disorder. She runs Star Wards, which helps mental health wards provide therapeutic care. Her contribution to the book is written in the voice of her dog, Buddy: ‘Marion does have regular meltdowns when we’re out and about but she somehow manages to get me across streets and back home safely. By that time, she’s feeling calmer and can ring the Samaritans or one of her therapists.’

Afterwards (19:00), we will open the sales of ‘My Dog, My Friend’, as well as providing you with light refreshments and time to chat about the book in our award winning venue.

About the book:
My Dog, my Friend: heart-warming tales of canine companionship from celebrities and other extraordinary people contains first person accounts, ranging from the poignant to the entertaining and from well-known public figures such as David Blunkett MP, Alan Titchmarsh, Simon Callow, Esther Rantzen, William McIlvanney, Jackie Kay and Brix Smith-Start. Their stories are further brought to life with personal photographs of their dogs.

The book is supported by the Samaritans, and all author royalties will be donated to the charity, which aims to reduce suicide. Professor Stephen Platt, a Samaritans trustee and researcher on suicidal behaviour and mental health, has written the book’s foreword. He says: ‘There is considerable evidence that dogs are an important source of social support, and enhance the emotional wellbeing of their owners. ‘We believe My Dog, my Friend will increase awareness about the important role that animals – and dogs in particular – can play in reducing emotional distress and symptoms of physical and mental ill-health.

Why should you sponsor?

Vlada Penlington

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